Media Release
Toronto/CMEDIA: Pride Toronto is back for its 43rd year and we continue to be the most exciting and most inclusive festival in Canada, and one of the largest 2SLGBTQI+ festivals in the world!
Pride Toronto is excited to announce this year’s Festival theme, “Here, There, Everywhere,” which is equal parts protest as it is party. Focused on the present moment, we are Here to proclaim and celebrate our existence. We are here against all odds, and continue to endure. We are here to stay. We take action by being There for each other. We relentlessly advocate for our community, and champion safe spaces in times of need and in times of joy. As we revel in and learn from our differences, we come together as one universe. We are together because we are Everywhere.
“With Drag Storytime events targeted by the far-right, the ever-present risk of violence against 2SLGBTQI+ people in our own spaces, and the rising tide of homophobia and transphobia in communities across the country and around the world, this year’s Pride festival is a reminder that 2SLGBTQI+ people have each other’s back and will not be silenced,” said Grant Gonzales and Yuri Hernandez, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors, Pride Toronto.
June is the start of Pride Month and this year’s Festival Weekend will take place on June 23 to June 25, 2023. We are very excited to announce some of the amazing talent we will have headlining this year’s Festival, including renowned gay rapper Saucy Santana, the amazing music of bisexual artist Lights, and the noteworthy trans icon and drag queen Sasha Colby, from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15. This is just a small snapshot of the talent Pride Toronto will be bringing your way at this year’s Pride Festival.
Pride Toronto will also be hosting a series of world class Signature events to help kick off Pride Month with a festive start. For the drag lovers out there, June 2nd will be Royal Tea, our Pride Month Kickoff Party full of exciting international queens! June 10th will be Pride Toronto’s highly anticipated ‘Til Sunset: Beach Party, and June 16th will be the famous Pride Pool Party.
Pride Toronto continues a legacy that is deeply intertwined with the rich, progressive history of Toronto’s queer community. From a small gathering of dedicated activists fighting for their right to love and be seen, to clashes with the government and police, to the vibrant celebration we know today, Pride Toronto has been a long time in the making.
Pride Toronto is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to bring people together to celebrate the history, courage, and diversity of our community. Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, the annual Pride Toronto festival has become a major Canadian arts and cultural event and the largest Pride celebration in North America. Pride showcases Toronto on the world stage with diversity, inclusion, and vibrant creativity.
“ We are excited at Pride Toronto to celebrate the 2023 Festival. This year’s Festival theme, “Here, There, Everywhere,” which is equal parts protest as it is party, speaks to making sure we never forget our history and roots of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. We are proud to be a part of a community that has led the fight for human rights around the world and honoured to celebrate this as we strive to ensure that our hard fought gains are not lost,” said Sherwin Modeste, Executive Director, Pride Toronto.
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